Alkali Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting rules and map
Alkali Lake Wildlife Management Area is 3,448 acres in Lyon County, managed by NDOW in its Western Region and inside hunt unit 203. NDOW lists hunting on the area, with this rule first: the use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited.
Data updated October 2026. Area rules: NDOW's public land page, read 2026-10-18. Boundary and acres: NDOW GIS. Land around it: BLM.
BLMNational forestState landAlkali Lake WMAHunt unit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 3,448 acres (NDOW legal acres) |
|---|---|
| County | Lyon County |
| NDOW region | Western Region |
| Hunt units | 203 |
| Status in NDOW's map | Designated; BOR Withdrawal |
| Camping | Not Permitted |
| Nearest towns | Smith Valley (9 mi), Yerington (12 mi) and Fish Springs (13 mi) |
What is Alkali Lake WMA?
Alkali Lake Wildlife Management Area (ALWMA) is in Lyon County, Nevada approximately 10 miles southwest of Yerington and approximately 85 miles from Reno. ALWMA consists of approximately 3,561 acres of wetlands and desert rangeland habitat.
In NDOW's words, from NDOW's public land page.
What are the rules on Alkali Lake WMA?
| Topic | NDOW's rule |
|---|---|
| Hunting | The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. |
| Camping | Not Permitted |
| Campfires | Not Permitted |
| Trespass and travel | No restrictions |
| Boats | No restrictions |
| Trapping | Permitted on a first come, first serve basis and may contain designation of specific trapping areas, dates or other restrictions to ensure compatibility with other public activities. |
| Bodies of water | Alkali lake |
Source: NDOW, Your Public Land. Big game seasons on the area follow the hunt unit's regulations.
Which big game unit groups take in Alkali Lake WMA?
NDOW draws big game tags by unit group. The groups that include unit 203, with NDOW's 2025 figures for the whole group, not the WMA alone:
| Species and group | Tags issued, 2025 | Successful hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Pronghorn antelope, 203, 291 | 19 | 15 |
| Black bear, 192, 194 - 196, 201 - 204, 206, 291 | 42 | 12 |
| Mule deer, 203 | 56 | 21 |
Source: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook).
What land surrounds Alkali Lake WMA?
Inside the WMA boundary, BLM's surface management map shows state land 3,311 acres and BLM 132 acres. NDOW's WMA map records its status as designated (BOR Withdrawal). Highways within 8 miles: NV 824, NV 823, NV 339 and NV 208. Nearest towns: Smith Valley (9 miles), Yerington (12 miles), Fish Springs (13 miles) and Carter Springs (14 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Alkali Lake WMA?
Yes. NDOW's rule for hunting on the area: The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited.
Can you camp on Alkali Lake WMA?
No. NDOW lists camping as: Not Permitted
Which hunt unit is Alkali Lake WMA in?
All of it is in NDOW hunt unit 203.
Where is Alkali Lake WMA?
Alkali Lake Wildlife Management Area (ALWMA) is in Lyon County, Nevada approximately 10 miles southwest of Yerington and approximately 85 miles from Reno. The nearest town by the census map is Smith Valley, 9 miles away.
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Where these facts come from
- Description and rules: NDOW, Your Public Land.
- Boundary, acres and status: NDOW wildlife management areas. Surrounding land: BLM Surface Management Agency map (national, limited scale).
- Unit group figures: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook).
FilledTag is not part of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Nevada hunting Western Region Pronghorn antelope 203, 291 Black bear 192, 194 - 196, 201 - 204, 206, 291 Mule deer 203